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Topic: Mobility

New iPhone 3.0 OS available

Summary: A revised operating system for Apple's iPhone is now available, adding functionality such as system-wide search and cut-and-paste to the popular handset.

David Meyer

By David Meyer |

A revised operating system for Apple's iPhone is now available, adding functionality such as system-wide search and cut-and-paste to the popular handset.

iPhone 3.0 was first shown off to developers in March. The update is free for iPhone users and $9.99 for iPod Touch owners. It can be uploaded from iTunes.

System-wide search is provided by the Spotlight tool, which is already found on desktop Macs. The tool allows the user to search for a phrase across the handset's contacts, messaging, email, calendar and iTunes applications.

The cut-and-paste functionality is called up when the user double-taps on a section of text, then selects the desired action. Mistakes can be reversed by shaking the handset.

Push notifications have been enabled, so users do not need to constantly remember to check for new messages, and iPhone users will now be able to invite contacts to meetings and forward contacts to colleagues.

Version 3.0 of the operating system also adds the option of using the soft keyboard in landscape mode. Emails, text messages and contacts can now also be viewed in landscape mode.

See also:

A native voice recorder application has also been added to the iPhone's operating system for the first time, and users will now be able to send multimedia (MMS) messages.

Developers can now charge users within applications for enhancements to those applications, rather than forcing them to adopt payment mechanisms outside the iPhone.

Peripherals manufacturers have also been given more access to the built-in functionality of the iPhone, allowing many to put the controls for their external devices on the iPhone itself.

The latest version of the iPhone, the 3G S, will go on sale on Friday. It includes new hardware features that will not be available to older handsets running the new operating system — these include video recording and the new model's built-in compass.

The new hardware also includes a more-powerful graphics chip, which has led to questions about whether graphics-intensive software such as games designed for the new phone will be compatible with the old.

This article was originally posted on ZDNet UK.

Topics: Mobility, Apple, Hardware, iPhone, Operating Systems, Software

David Meyer

About David Meyer

David Meyer is a freelance technology journalist. He fell into journalism when he realised his musical career wouldn't pay the bills. David's main focus is on communications, as well as internet technologies, regulation and mobile devices.

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26 comments
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  • RE: New iPhone 3.0 OS available

    Downloaded update in about 4 minutes. Now cannot connect to iTunes store to activate? iPhone shows "Connect to iTunes" graphic and will only allow calls to 911. Been trying to connect to iTunes for last hour and keep getting error -9807 asking me to try again later.
    jryanutk82
    Reply Vote

  • Why $9.95 for iPod touch?

    Because we're not paying the AT&T tax?
    Real World
    Reply Vote

    • No Kidding!

      As if we haven't already given them enough of a profit margin with the money they made from the hardware and their cut of every song, movie, tv show, where they make a hefty percentage. F-them, I refuse to upgrade until it becomes free.
      Yensi717
      Reply Vote

    • This has been covered many times...

      it has to do with accounting rules.

      Look it up.
      msalzberg
      Reply Vote

      • no...

        no thats just a scam of an excuse they give, they can freely give it away if
        they wanted to, but they have some lame excuse they pretend fits so they
        can make extra money.

        They charge it because people pay for it.

        There is no accounting rules that say you cannot give away things for
        free.
        doh123
        Reply Vote

  • iPhone would be perfect... if I could use it.

    Apologies, NZ... You're right, the iPhone is perfect. At the moment it is perfect as a paperweight. It would be nice if I could receive calls and text messages, but... it is, in fact, perfect. Maybe by tomorrow Apple's server traffic will slow to the point where I can activate the phone I've had for a year and use it again. But if that's not Apple's will for me, then so be it.
    jryanutk82
    Reply Vote

    • Had the same problem

      Mine was a brick for about an hour. Eventually connected. Working fine now.

      Copy and Paste...meh

      Global Search is going to come in handy.


      psquared007
      Reply Vote

  • iPod Touch 2G got Version 3 update, nice

    It took about 40 minutes and $9.95 to unlock Bluetooth,
    upgrade with Cut and Paste, and Audio recording app, more
    room for Application and a Search function. This as added
    features with a simple firmware update. Pleased so far with
    the results.
    educateme@...
    Reply Vote

  • RE: New iPhone 3.0 OS available

    Well it was available, but I couldn install it as Apples "Activation Server was unavailble"

    Grumble, grumble, mumbe, damn DRM encrusted piece of..mumble,grumble....
    chromeronin
    Reply Vote

  • iTunes server is CHOKING!!!!

    MS catches hell for having a 1 hour problem when Win 7 was made available. iTunes chokes all day long and Apple doesn't get any flak for this? Nice double standard.
    Narg
    Reply Vote

    • Can't you chock with an OS

      You have used for the past year for a couple more days until all the
      hoopla is over. Chill out
      minardi
      Reply Vote

  • Cut/paste on iPhone is a giant pain in the butt

    The way cut/paste has been implemented in the iPhone, if you
    leave your finger resting on a web page on the screen, a big blue
    box pops up around some of the text and thinks you want to
    copy it. What a pain! In the six months I've had my iPhone, I think
    I wanted to cut and past about twice. I much preferred the phone
    without this "must-have" feature!
    Userama
    Reply Vote

    • Just shake it

      just shake your iPhone and it will all be gone... (your faulty selection)

      Relax man
      |-Jabba-|
      Reply Vote

  • why send MMS?

    When you can just send an email? text/MMS is the biggest ripoff ever. When most phones support email, why text?
    erikswanson
    Reply Vote

    • Often wondered that myself

      Guess "texting" sounds sexier than "e-mailing". And it's a good
      way for the carriers to separate you from more of your money!
      Userama
      Reply Vote

      • Texting just works

        SMS Text messages work with any phone. You dont need to know if the person has an email service on their phone, it will just work.

        MMS is a ripoff indeed. Lots of carriers dont allow their phones to send photos in email, or make it really hard, because they want MMS fees.
        A.Sinic
        Reply Vote

        • SMS and MMS are ripoffs

          Both were created by the mobile commercial community as a separate and proprietary system to suck money out of your pocket.

          It is granted it seems easier to send an sms... especially on most other phones where contacts are not so neatly integrated as iphone with email. But it is other phone's shortcomings on email access that makes sms still viable.

          If you want to send the same message to multiple people, some will need email... some can see it via sms/mms.. some will have the mms portion stripped or blocked, and some will simply lose the sms in the ether.

          sms is a total farce. really. If you read your fineprint it will tell you there is absolutely no guarantee an sms will be delivered or accepted, in any length of time or ever. Where as with email you have more control over the receipt, destination, attachments, etc.

          All that, and it's free under the all-you-can-use net plan, vs. the paltry bit of free sms you get without paying.

          But still, sms is push friendly.. and dings in your pocket.

          Ah well... such is why I have system statuses SMS'd and emailed simultaneously. And pay for the privilege if a barrage of issues come up.
          wolftalamasca
          Reply Vote

    • Voice memo e-mail attachment is cool!

      It's really easy to record a voice memo with 3.0 and attach it to e-
      mail. And it sure would save a lot of typing!
      Userama
      Reply Vote

  • RE: New iPhone 3.0 OS available

    "It can be uploaded from iTunes."

    No, it can be downloaded from iTunes!
    sbarman
    Reply Vote

    • Such a Smart alec

      Such a Smart alec

      iTunes is Software and iTunes Store is a portal.

      Thus
      "It can be uploaded from iTunes." to the device
      Upload since the computer pushes the data to the iPod

      "it can be downloaded from iTunes Store!!!!" to iTunes
      Download since the iTunes software pulls the data


      Nit picking can be annoying yea
      carl0ski@...
      Reply Vote
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